Apparatus for electrical treatment of gases and vapors



Dec. 22, 1931. H, ROWLAND 1,837,489

APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICAL TREATMENT OF GASES AND VAPORS Filed June 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 22, 1931. H, R, ROWLAND 1,837,489

APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICAL TREATMENT OF GASES AND VAPORS Filed June 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ave/"tot ifs/E6567 15. 0 WLl/VQ,

Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EERIBEIH. R. 1), OF KANSAS CITY MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO CORONA CONVERSION CORPORATION, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF ARIZONA.

APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICAL TREATMENT OF GASES AND VAPORS Application filed June 28,

This invention relates to apparatus for electrical treatment of gases and vapors; and it relates more particularly to improved means for maintaining adequate insulation at all times between the electrodes of opposite polarity used in such apparatus.

The invention relates generally to a type of apparatus in which the gas or vapor to be treated is passed through a suitable treating chamber in which it is subjected to the action of a high tension electric field maintained between opposed electrodes, the electric field generally being characterized by a continuous or intermittent silent or corona electric discharge between the electrodes. While various forms of apparatus of this type may differ widely as to details of construction, they generally all involve the use of opposed electrodes that difi'er in configuration and extent of surface area, one being of such small surface area and sharp contour as to produce a. concentrated field adjacent thereto and the other having a comparatively extended surface and a contour to produce a field of less intensity adjacent-thereto. A characteristic construction involving the above mentioned principles comprises a treating chamber, substantially circular in cross section, the interior walls of which constitute the eleccombination with a fine wire extending axially of the chamber and constituting the opposed electrode of small surface area and sharp contour. The electrical discharge may be uni-directional or it may take place in' al ternating directions between the electrodes according to the use to which the apparatus is put, but in any event in all such uses of the apparatus the more intense electrical field about the electrode of sharper contour performs an important function in electrically charging or otherwise acting upon the gases or vapors treated, for the acceleration of reactions therein or for precipitation of particles therefrom, and that electrode has generally been termed the discharge electrode, the other being generally termed the receiving or collecting electrode.

In order to provide for maximum efficiency 60 of operation in an apparatus of the type retrode having the more extended surface, in'

1928. Serial No. 289,066.

age therefrom. The difficulty of maintain ing proper insulation is greatly increased because it is frequently desirable to treat gases or vapors at high temperatures. The insulation of high tension electrodes, when exposed to the action of hot gases or vapors, has been found extremely difficult because most materials which are good insulators at low temperatures are not good insulators at high temperatures, such as 700 F. and above. Furthermore, the fact-that a portion of the insulator extends into the hot treating chamber and a portion thereof extends out into the air, creates a decided temperature gradient andthis adds to the difliculty of maintalning adequate insulation. Prior attempts to maintain proper insulation under the above-mentioned conditions of use have not been, successful, due to breakage of the insulators or loss of insulating or dielectric strength.

The general object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type hereinbefore mentiond with improved insulating means which will remain efi'ective under all conditions of use to which such ape paratus may be put.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type hereinbefore described with insulating means which will not break down or deteriorate under high temperature.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention and its principles will appear more clearly from the concrete embodiments thereof hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, but it is to be understood, however, that the embodiments referred to are merely illustrative of my invention and that various other specific embodiments may be made within the broad scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of one type of apparatus for the electrical treatment of gases or vapors in which my invention may be and is shown as embodied;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view of one form of insulator means,

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, of another form of insulating means, and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 4 of a further modification.

Referring to the drawings, the type of apparatus illustrated is especially adapted for treatment of hydrocarbon vapors to convert the same into lighter products such as gasoline, the treating chamber for the gases or vapors being composed of a tubular section 1 (much shortened as here shown to bring it within the allowable limits of the drawings), circular in cross-section and of conducting material; and upper and lower header sections or elbows 2 and 3. The interior walls of this chamber, and more particularly the interior walls of the central section, form the electrode of larger area employed in the apparatus.

The gases or vapors or mixtures thereof are passed upwardly or downwardly through the treating chamber as desired and the treating tube or chamber may be coupled to supply and discharge manifolds or in series with one or more additional tubes of similar character.

A discharge electrode of the well-known filamentary or fine wire type is indicated at 4, very small gage nichrome Wire being suitable for the purpose.

The parts of the apparatus thus far de-. scribed are of well known construction and arrangement and my invention relates more particularly to novel insulating means for the discharge electrode to effectively maintain proper insulation at all times between the discharge electrode and the opposed electrode and other parts of the apparatus.

My invention contemplates employment of novel insulating means for supporting the discharge electrode axially of the surrounding tube walls, said insulating means presenting a surface not readily retaining deposits from the gases or vapors undergoing treatment and not being subject to breakage or loss of insulating or dielectric strength, even under high temperature.

-Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the insulator generally referred to by 5 is supported in the upper header or elbow 2 so that a portion of the insulator extends into the header forming part of the treating chamber and a portion extends outside thereof. Theinsulator is supported in a stufling box 6 mounted in the cover 7 removably secured to header 2,

nected to the electrode.

dielectric strength due to extremel through the bottom of the packing box to cushion the insulator at this point.

The insulator generally referred 7 to by 5 comprises a laminated body of insulating material surrounding and supporting the high tension lead or conductor which is con- In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, insulator 5 comprises a plurality of insulating members or bodies 12 and 13 arranged to provide an insulating body with spaced layers or walls. I In the example illustrated, insulating members 12 and 13 are in the form of spaced tubes fitting one within the other, the outer tube or sleeve 12 surrounding only a.portion of the length of the inner tube 13, the ends of the outer tube being fused or otherwise connected to the outsides of inner tube 13. Ar ranged within the interior of inner tube 13 is the high tension lead or conductor 14 which is connected to the conductor or lead-in wire 15 preferably made of tungsten or some similar metal sealed into the closed end 16 of inner tube member 13 in such a way as to make a fluid-tight seal between said tube and the conductor 15. Conductor 15 is provided with a hooked end to which the electrode 4 is attached and in order to protect this extending hooked end of conductor 15 the closed end 16 of tube 13 may be provided with an annular extension 161 which is slightly flared to prevent any condensate which may be deposited on the insulator from running down on the electrode.

In order to prevent loss of insulating 0}:

hi temperatures, means have been provi ed or cooling the insulator. As shown in Fi s. 1

and 2, tube or sleeve 12 is provided wit an I entrance tube 17 and an exit tube 18 to which flexible tube or hose connections 17 and 17", respectively, are attached for the purpose of supplying a cooling medium to the s ace formed between the walls of tubes 12 an 13. Although any suitable cooling medium may be used, liquids such as water have been found very desirable. Entrance tube 17 referably extends close to the bottom 0 the cooling space in order to deliver the cooling water at the bottom of the cooling space, the water rising in the cooling space and flowing out through exit tube 18. The flow of cooling water is controlled by suitable nated insulator com rising a tubular body with spaced walls or supporting and insulating the high tension electrode. As shown in Fig. 1, the insulator is mounted in the treating chamber in such a way that the maximum number of layers or laminae of insulatin material is provided at the junction of t e walls of the reaction chamber with said insulator. Furthermore, means are provided for cooling that portion of the insu ator which passes through the walls of the reaction chamber.

The insulator layers or members may be of any suitable non-conducting and heat resistant material, but I preferably employ fused silica or quartz, the use of such material being of special advantage because of its low coeflicient of expansion and because it does not lose its insulating qualities at high temperatures as quickly as other materials and for the further reason that de osits of tarry matters or the like do not use into the surface of the quartz.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a different form of insulator is illustrated, which is supported in the upper header or elbow 2 of the reaction chamber in a manner generally similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, although differing therefrom in certain details. In Fig. 3, the insulator 5 is supported by an insulatin body or block 121 which in turn is supported in a stufiing box 6 formed in the cover plate or ring 7 removably secured to header 2. Insulating block 121 1s preferably made in the form of a round plate or disk with a hole or opening 122 in the center through which the insulator 5- extends. Disk 121, which is preferably made of fused silica or quartz, rests on a layer of sheet packing 123 at the bottom of the stufiing box and is held in place in the stufling box by layers of packing 124 and 125 and packin gland 9, the edge 126 of the disk 121 being beveled to provide a space between the stufiing box and disk to receive said packing. Packing 124 is preferably of the type which is lastic when put in place, subsequently har ening, and a. packing comprising a mixture of litharge and glycerine is typical of such a packing and has been found satisfactory in practice, although it is understood that any packing suitable for the purpose may be used. The opening 122 in the. .disk 121 through which the insulator 5 extends is provided with an enlargement or packing recess. 127

adapted to receive the packing shoulder or bulge 10 of the insulator, the recess 127 being filled with a acking 128 similar to the packing 124, said packing being plastic when applied but subsequently hardening to provide a fluid-tight connection between the disk 12 and the insulator 5. The insulator is thus mounted in the top of the treating chamber so that a portion extends into the treating chamber and a portion extends outside thereof, the top of the treating chamber being closed to prevent any escape of fluids.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, insulator 5 comprises an outer tube 12 and spaced telescopic inner tubes 13, 13 and 13 fitting in said outer tube, inner tubes 13 and 13 resting on and being supported by the closed bottom of tube 13". Tube or sleeve 12 surrounds only a portion of tube 13, the ends of tube 12 being fused or otherwise connected to tube 13 in such a way that the side walls of these tubes are spaced apart. Arranged within the interior of innermost tube 13 is the high tension lead or conductor 14 which is connected to the conductor or lead-in wire 15 which is preferably made of tungsten or some similar metal sealed into the closed end 16*,of tube 13 in such a way as to make a liquid-tight seal between said tube and the conductor 15*. Conductor 15 is provided with a hooked end to which the electrode 4 is attached. Due to the peculiar way of mounting tubes 13 and 13 within the tube 13*, they ordinarily maintain a position substantially concentric with the tube 13 but, if desired, suitable means may be provided for positively maintaining this spaced telescopic relation.

are preferably made of fused silica or quartz, as are the tubular members in Figs. 1 and 2. In Figs. 3 and 4 the tubes are separated by air spaces although the space between outer tube 12 and tube 13 may be evacuated, if desired.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5, the insulator generally indicated by 5 comprises an outer tube 12 and an inner tube 13 of suitable insulating material, said tubes surrounding the conductor 14 which in this instance is in the form of a rod of nichrome or other suitable metal. The lower end of conductor 14 passes through a re stricted opening 151 in the bottom 16 of tube 12", the opening 151 being made liquid-tight by suitable packing 19 which is compressed and held in place by inner tube 13 which rests thereon, said inner tube being held in place by the washer 20 and spring 21 mounted on the upper end of conductor 14', the tension of the spring being regulated by adjusting nuts 22 and 23 threaded on opposite ends of said conductor to thereby hold it in place. If desired, instead of providing a packed joint between the bottom of the outer tube and the conductor, the conductor can be sealed-in directly to the I material forming said outer tube as in the form illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 and vice versa the joint between the conductor and the outermost tube in the form shown in Figs. 2 and 4 can be a packed joint as illustrated in Fig. 5, if desired. The outer tube is provided with annular bulge or projection 10 to facilitate securing or mounting The tubular members, 12, 13 13 and 13 the insulator either directl in the packing box as in Fig. 1 or in the di 121 as in Fig. 3. If desired, the outer tube 12 may be provided with a plurality of apertures 24 near the bottom for the escape of, a cooling medium, such as gas or the like which may be circulated through the annular space between the inner and outer tube, said cooling medium being admitted through a suitable conduit connected to the nipple 25 leading into the interior of the outer tube 12".

In the form illustrated in Fig. the outer tube 12 is made of high melting point borosilica or pyrex glass and the inner tube is made of fused silica or quartz. This combination works very well for certain uses, the outer tube 12 of boro-silica or pyrex glass serving as a protecting envelope to shield the inner tube from the extreme heat and the action of the vapors in the treating chamber and the inner tube of fused silica or quartz being used for its high insulating and dielectric strength. As boro-silica or pyrex glass is much cheaper and more easily worked than fused silica or quartz, it is a-distinct advantage to be able to use the cheaper material.

In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the high tension electrode 4 is secured to and supported from the hooked end of conductor or 15 and in the form shown in Fig. 5, electrode 4 is fastened to the lower end of conductor 14" by nut 22. When the insulator and attached electrode are mounted in place, the electrode hangs vertically in the treating chamber.

Means are provided to moderately tension the electrode and to keep the lower end from swinging. These means may take -various forms, but in the example illustrated, a weight or plummet 26 secured to the lower end of electrode 4 telescopes or slides in a tubular stationary member-27 secured in a substantially centrally disposed opening or socket 28 provided therefor in a skeleton frame or spider 29 mounted in the treating chamber adjacent the lower end. The electrode is thus properly centered axially within the treating chamber and at the same time it is not only restrained from undesirable lateral movement, but it is also maintained under the desired tension. Lower insulators 26 and 27 may be of any suitable heat resistant and insulating material, but fused silica or quartz are preferably employed for the reasons already stated. In order to provide sufficient weight, plummet 26 may be made in the form of a tube filled with sand or similar material, and then sealed.

The difference in potential between the electrodes 1 and 4 to produce the desired electric field in the treating chamber or reaction tube may be maintained by any suitable currentsupplying and transforming means producing the required high potential current in a manner well known in the art. Leads from such current producing means connected to the electrodes 1 and 4 are indicated by 30 and 31.

It will be observed that when the upper insulator is secured in place, it is effective not only to insulate the high tension conductor from the reaction tube or treating chamber, but it also seals the opening through which the conductor extends, preventing the escape of the gases or vapors undergoing treatment. This is a very important feature because in many instances the esca e of gases or vapors from the treating cham er or the admission of air thereto would be very dangerous.

By reason of my improved laminated insulator construction, I am able to operate with very high temperatures and high tension current for long periods of time without having to shut down because of failure of insulators due to loss of mechanical or insulating or dielectric strength.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described and that various changes in details of construction can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims; For instance, any of the insulators described herein can be used with either form of mounting.

What is claimed is z 1. In apparatus for electrical treatment of gases and vapors, the combination, with the treating chamber, provided with an opening, of an insulator mounted in said opening, and means providing a fluid-tight con nection between said chamber and said insulator, said insulator comprising a plurality of spaced tubular members of insulating material surrounding an electrical conduc tor, said insulator having a fluid-tight connection with said conductor.

2. In apparatus for high tension electrical treatment of gases and vapors at high temperatures, the combination, with a treating chamber provided with an opening, of an insulator in said opening and means including a packing recess providing a fluid-tight connection between said insulator and said chamber, said insulator comprising a plurality of spaced telescopic tubes of quartz or the like surrounding an electrical conductor, said insulator having a fluid-tight connection at one end with said conductor and being rovided intermediate its ends with a packing shoulder engaging in said packing recess.

3. The combination, with a closed chamher for electricall treating hot gases and vapors, said cham er having an opening in one wall, and an electrode in said chamber, of a conductor passing through said opening and connected to said electrode, and means for sealing said opening and for electrically insulating said conductor from said chamher, said means comprising a plurality of spaced tubular mem ers surrounding said conductor.

4. In apparatus for high tension electrical treatment of hot gases and vapors, the combination, with a treating chamber provided with an opening, and an electrode in said chamber, of a conductor passing though said opening and connected to said electrode, and means engagin in said opening and connected by a fiui d-tight joint to said chamber for electrically insulating said conductor from said chamber, said means being connected to said conductor by a fluid-tight joint and comprising a plurality of spaced tubular members of insulating material surrounding said conductor.

5. In apparatus for electrical treatment of gases and vapors, in combination with a treating chamber provided with an opening, a conductor extending through said opening into said chamber, a stufling box surrounding said opening, insulating means through which said conductor extends mounted in said packing box, packing material disposed in said packing box, and a gland for said packing material, said insulating means being sealed to the conductor which passes therethough and comprising spaced outer and inner tubes of insulating material.

6. In apparatus for electrical treatment of gases and vapors, in combination with a treating chamber provided with an opening, a conductor extending through said opening ing said opening, insulating means through which said conductor extends mounted in said packing box, packing material disposed in said packing box, and a gland for said packing material, said insulating means comprising a tubular body of insulating material, said tubular body being sealed at one end to' the conductor which passes therethrough, and a body of insulating material spaced from and surrounding a portion of the tubular body and extending into said stufling box.

7. Insulating means for the high tension electrodes of apparatus for electrical treatment of gases and vapors at high temperatures comprising spaced inner and outer vertically arranged tubes of insulating material surrounding the conductor connected to said electrode, the lower end of said outer tube being closed and connected by a fluidtight joint to said conductor which passes therethrough, the lower end of said inner tube resting on and being'supported by the closed end of said outer tube.

8. In apparatus for electrical treatment of gases and vapors at high temperatures, the combination, with a treating chamber provided with an opening, of an insulator mounted in said opening with a portion extending into said treating chamber and a portion exinto said chamber, a stufiing box surround tendin outside thereof, and means providing a uid-tight connection between said insu ator and said chamber, said insulator comprisin spaced inner and outer vertically arrange tubes of insulating and heat-resistant material, the lower end of said outer tube being closed and connected by a fluid-tight joint to an electrical conductor which passes therethrough, the lower end of said inner tube resting on and being supported by the closed end of said outer tube.

9. In apparatus for high tension electrical treatment of gases and vapors at high temperatures, the combination, with a treating chamber provided with an opening, of an insulator mounted in said opening with a portion extending into said chamber and a portion extending outside thereof, and means providing a fluid-tight connection between said insulator and sald chamber, said insula- -tor comprisin a plurality of spaced telescopic tubes 0 insulating and heat-resistant material surrounding an electrical conductor, one end of the outermost of said tubes having afluid-tight connection with said conductor, and a body of insulating and heat-resistant material spaced from and surrounding that portion of the outermost tube passing Itjhrough the inner wall of said treating cham- 10. In apparatus for high tension electrical treatment of hot gases and ya ors, the combination with a treating cham er provided with an opening, and an electrode in said chamber, of a conductor passing through 190 said opening and connected to said electrode,

a disk of insulating and heat-resistant material mounted in said opening and having a fluid-tight connection with said chamber, and

an insulator removably supported by said disk and connected thereto by a fluid-tight joint, said insulator comprising a tubular member with spaced walls surrounding said conductor and sealed thereto.

11. Insulating means for the high tension electrodes of apparatus for electrical treatment of gases and vapors at high temperatures comprising a plurality of spaced telescopingtubesofinsulating and heat-resistant materialsurroundingtheconductor connected to said electrode, one end of one of the outer tubes having a fluid-tight connection with said conductor, and a sleeve of insulating and heat-resistant material spaced from and surrounding a portion of said outer tube.

12. An insulator comprising the combination, with a conductor, of spaced telescop1c outer and inner tubes surrounding said conductor, the outer tube consisting of high melting oint boro-silica glass and having a 125 restricte open end portion, packing mounted in said restricted end, said inner tube consisting of quartz or the like and one end thereof resting on the packing carried by sa d outer tube and resilient means engaging said inner tube and said conductor for holding said inner tube and said packing in position.

13. In ap aratus for electrical treatment of gases and vapors, the combination, with a vertically extending reaction ,chamber whose walls constitute an electrode, of a cooperating fine-wire electrode, insulator means by which said fine-wire electrode is suspended centrally within said chamber from the upper part thereof, a hollow weighted lummet of insulating material attached to t e lower end of said electrode, an insulator tube within which said plummet is free to move up and down, and skeleton means for supportin said insulator tube centrally of the walls 0 said reaction chamber.

14. The combination, with a closed chamber for electricall treating hot gases and vapors, said cham er having an opening in one wall, and an electrode in said chamber, of a conductor assing through said opening and connected to said electrode, and means for sealing said opening and for electrically insulating said conductor from said chamber, said means comprising a body of non-conducting and heat-resistant material provided with spaced walls surrounding said conductor, and means for passing a cooling fluid through the space between said walls.

15. In apparatus for high tension electrical treatment of hot gases and va ors, the combination, with a treating cham er provided with an opening, and an electrode in said chamber, of a conductor passing through said opening and connected to said electrode,

and means engaging in said opening and connected by a fluid-tight joint to said cham her for electrically insulating said conductor from said chamber, said means being connected to said conductor by a fluid-ti ht joint and comprising a plurality of space tubular members of insulating material surrounding said conductor, and means for passing a cooling fluid through the space between said tubular members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

HERBERT R. ROWLAND. 

